09 November 2002: It's turnaround time, big time for Mazda. On the car front, their Mazda6 is strongly tipped to capture the European 2003 Car of the Year title.

Auto Car magazine reports that the 6 is the 7-2 on favourite with bookies William Hill. The 6 is also regarded as a major contender for the Semperit Irish Car of the Year 2003 title which will be announced in Dublin on November 21st - two days after the European jury reveal their winner.

Financially, Mazda has also turned the corner. Compared to the same period last year, expectations are that Mazda's revenue will rise 12 percent, operating profit will increase 30 percent and net income will more than quadruple. In addition, Mazda is on track to achieve its full-year FY2002 targets for volume and revenue growth, profitability and cash flow. Full-year net income was revised upward from 20 billion yen to 26.5 billion yen Final first half results will be confirmed on November 12.

Meanwhile, Mazda Motor Corporation unveiled this Titandash Clean Diesel Hybrid truck (below) at the 36th Tokyo Motor Show 2002 in Chiba City.

It is powered by a newly developed common-rail diesel engine with an electric motor assist system. Developed with environmental consideration as the top priority, the new diesel engine (MZR-CD), along with the hybrid system dramatically reduces exhaust gas emissions - and it is approximately 50% more fuel-efficient than an identical model powered by a conventional diesel engine.